Sen. Wright raises $248,000 for his legal defense fund

Patrick McGreevy

SACRAMENTO -- Three days after a jury found him guilty of eight felony counts, state Sen. Roderick Wright reported Friday that political supporters have helped him raise $248,000 for his legal defense fund.

On Tuesday, a Los Angeles jury found Wright guilty of voter fraud and perjury after prosecutors said he lied about living in his Senate district when he ran for office.

Wright reported Friday that he had raised $89,200 last year for the account, bringing the total raised since 2011 to $248,000.

Donations in recent months have come from Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), who gave $5,000, as well as Sempra Energy, PG&E and California Grand Casino, according to his filing with the secretary of state's office.

Much of the money raised in the last three months was paid to the law firm of Bill Portanova.